To predict quakes, listen to the animals, China survivors say

The survivors of the 12 May earthquake in the Sichuan province reported mass migrations of thousands of frogs and toads just before the disaster.

"Physical and chemical stimuli emanate from the earth prior to an earthquake and animals probably sense that," said Dr. George Pararas-Carayannis, a chemist and oceanographer who is president of the Honolulu-based Tsunami Society. "Eventually, studies of animal behaviour could lead to better and more sophisticated sensors for use in short-term prediction."

Scientists can detect heightened earthquake risks by monitoring build-ups of seismological pressure, ground tilting and magnetic field changes, although no quake has ever been accurately predicted this way, he said.